Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: initiating, by a controller onboard the vehicle, a first laser pulse from a first laser device; initiating, by a controller onboard the vehicle, a second laser pulse from a second laser device, wherein the initiating the second laser pulse is based on a phase shift angle; receiving, by the controller onboard the vehicle, first return data and second return data as a result of the first laser pulse and the second laser pulse; interleaving, by the controller onboard the vehicle, the first return pulse and the second return pulse to form a point cloud; and controlling, by the controller onboard the vehicle, the vehicle based on the point cloud.

Abstract: A system including a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor is arranged to monitor a field of view, and includes a LiDAR sensor and a linear resonant actuator. The LiDAR sensor includes a first portion including a laser array and a detector array, and a second portion including a transmitting lens and a receiving lens. The linear resonant actuator is arranged to oscillate one of the first portion or the second portion of the LiDAR sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly includes a first trim component having an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface, the first trim component including an extended portion, a second trim component including an edge defining a groove configured to engage with the extended portion of the first trim component, and a single chip sensor overmolded with the second trim component such that the single chip sensor is integrated into the second trim component. The single chip sensor is formed with the second trim component in a multi-shot injection molding process.

Abstract: A sensor lens cleaning system for a cylindrical sensor having a sensor lens surface includes an extended member having a first end coupled to the cylindrical sensor and a second end opposite the first end, a nozzle coupled to the second end of the extended member, an actuator coupled to the extended member and configured to control the extended member, and a controller in electronic communication with the actuator and configured to communicate an actuator control signal to the actuator. The nozzle generates an air stream directed at the sensor lens surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods in a vehicle involve transmitting light with an initial polarization from a lidar system, and controlling an external compensator, external to the lidar system, or an internal compensator within the lidar system to change the initial polarization of the light to a new polarization of the light. The method also includes receiving reflected light resulting from reflection of the light from one or more objects, and obtaining information about the one or more objects based on the reflected light.

Abstract: A tool for applying a protective film to a lens of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor is disclosed. The tool includes at least one cover, a film spindle, a film roller, and a pivot bar. The at least one cover has an elongated shape with a first end and a second end opposite of the first end. The film spindle is mounted to the at least one cover adjacent to the second end thereof. The film spindle is configured to hold a roll of the protective film. The film roller is mounted to the at least one cover adjacent to the first end thereof. The film roller is configured to apply the protective film onto the lens. The pivot bar has a first end configured to be pivotally attached to the LIDAR sensor and a second end pivotally attached to the at least one cover.

Abstract: A sensor diagnostic system includes a first sensor configured to receive a reflected signal that corresponds to a portion of a transmitted signal transmitted from a second sensor and reflected from a surface, a wavelength determination module configured to determine a first wavelength of the reflected signal that is indicative of a second wavelength of the transmitted signal, a wavelength shift detection module configured to determine a shift in at least one of the first wavelength and the second wavelength, and a sensor health analysis module configured to perform diagnostics on the second sensor based on the determined shift.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly includes a trim component having an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface opposite the interior facing surface, a lens assembly overmolded into the trim component, the lens assembly including an optical surface positioned adjacent to the exterior facing surface of the trim component, and a sensor module including a sensor housing enclosing a sensor, the sensor module joined to the trim component and the lens assembly.

Abstract: A method of integrating a lidar system in a vehicle involves disposing one or more receive portions of the lidar system in one or more first locations of the vehicle and fabricating an integrated transmit portion of the lidar system to be disposed in a second location of the vehicle. The fabricating includes injection molding optical components to light emitting devices affixed to a printed circuit board to form a transmit portion and overmolding one or more additional elements to the transmit portion. The overmolding includes performing one or more additional injection molding processes.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly includes a first trim component having an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface, the first trim component including an extended portion, a second trim component including an edge defining a groove configured to engage with the extended portion of the first trim component, and a single chip sensor overmolded with the second trim component such that the single chip sensor is integrated into the second trim component. The single chip sensor is formed with the second trim component in a multi-shot injection molding process.

Abstract: A sensor-integrated glass assembly includes a first glass component including an automotive glass material, a second glass component including an interlayer material, the second glass component exterior to the first glass component, a third glass component including a high transmission glass material, the third glass component exterior to the second glass component such that the second glass component is positioned between the first and third glass components, and a single chip sensor having a sensor lens, the single chip sensor coupled with the second glass component. The single chip sensor is positioned on the interlayer component such that a transmission from the single chip sensor passes through the third glass component and does not pass through the first glass component.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly includes a trim component having an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface opposite the interior facing surface, a lens assembly overmolded into the trim component, the lens assembly including an optical surface positioned adjacent to the exterior facing surface of the trim component, and a sensor module including a sensor housing enclosing a sensor, the sensor module joined to the trim component and the lens assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods in a vehicle involve transmitting light with an initial polarization from a lidar system, and controlling an external compensator, external to the lidar system, or an internal compensator within the lidar system to change the initial polarization of the light to a new polarization of the light. The method also includes receiving reflected light resulting from reflection of the light from one or more objects, and obtaining information about the one or more objects based on the reflected light.

Abstract: A system including a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor is arranged to monitor a field of view, and includes a LiDAR sensor and a linear resonant actuator. The LiDAR sensor includes a first portion including a laser array and a detector array, and a second portion including a transmitting lens and a receiving lens. The linear resonant actuator is arranged to oscillate one of the first portion or the second portion of the LiDAR sensor.

Abstract: A sensor lens cleaning system for a cylindrical sensor having a sensor lens surface includes an extended member having a first end coupled to the cylindrical sensor and a second end opposite the first end, a nozzle coupled to the second end of the extended member, an actuator coupled to the extended member and configured to control the extended member, and a controller in electronic communication with the actuator and configured to communicate an actuator control signal to the actuator. The nozzle generates an air stream directed at the sensor lens surface.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for object detection in a location obscured from a camera field of view in a motor vehicle. In particular, the system is operative to illuminate a FOV from a low angle using a light source, capture an image of the FOV from a high angle and to detect a shadow within the image indicative of an object being illuminated by the light source.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by the controller, first return data detected by a first detector of a lidar device as a result of a first laser pulse or chirp; receiving, by the controller, second return data detected by a second detector of the lidar device as a result of a second laser pulse or chirp; combining, by the controller, the first return data and the second return data to form a point cloud; and controlling, by the controller, the vehicle based on the point cloud.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of a machine or a portion of the machine. The method comprises processing a waveform based on detected reflected light and a derivative of the waveform. The waveform includes a return. The method further comprises classifying the return as a phantom target or a non-amorphous target based on the result of the processing, and controlling movement of the machine or a portion of the machine based on the result of the classifying the return.

Abstract: A tool for applying a protective film to a lens of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor is disclosed. The tool includes at least one cover, a film spindle, a film roller, and a pivot bar. The at least one cover has an elongated shape with a first end and a second end opposite of the first end. The film spindle is mounted to the at least one cover adjacent to the second end thereof. The film spindle is configured to hold a roll of the protective film. The film roller is mounted to the at least one cover adjacent to the first end thereof. The film roller is configured to apply the protective film onto the lens. The pivot bar has a first end configured to be pivotally attached to the LIDAR sensor and a second end pivotally attached to the at least one cover.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: initiating, by a controller onboard the vehicle, a first laser pulse from a first laser device; initiating, by a controller onboard the vehicle, a second laser pulse from a second laser device, wherein the initiating the second laser pulse is based on a phase shift angle; receiving, by the controller onboard the vehicle, first return data and second return data as a result of the first laser pulse and the second laser pulse; interleaving, by the controller onboard the vehicle, the first return pulse and the second return pulse to form a point cloud; and controlling, by the controller onboard the vehicle, the vehicle based on the point cloud.